15 Smart Personal Hygiene Practices That Will Keep You Healthy

Caroline Heasley August 30th 2016 Health

People with good personal hygiene are less likely to get disease-causing germs and parasites. What is proper personal hygiene? It is taking care of every part of your body. This is anywhere from keeping it clean to looking your best. Healthy hygiene habits can also help you feel better about yourself and increase your self-esteem. There are quite a few personal hygiene habits that you should add to your daily routine.

1. Hand-Washing

The best way to prevent germs from spreading is by washing your hands. Every day we come into contact with various germs. So, washing your hands will make sure that these germs don't get an opportunity to make you or another person ill. What are the best times to wash your hands? You should wash your hands before you eat or touch food, when they become dirty, after you use the bathroom, after you blow your nose or cough, after you touch animals, and before and after you visit a sick relative or friend. But most importantly, be sure to educate other people about the benefits of hand washing.

What is the best way to wash your hands? It is best to use warm water when you wash them. Using regular soap works fine, but anti-bacterial soap is even better. The key to successfully and effectively clean your hands is to lather the soap on both sides of them, your wrists, and between your fingers. Don't forget to scrub your nails because they are the one place that tends to contain the most germs. Wash your hands for at least 30 seconds. Afterwards, rinse and dry with a clean towel.

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2. Dental Hygiene

Oral health is very important. Having a healthy smile leads to a better you. Various researchers have concluded that good oral health may prevent certain diseases from occuring. You must take good care of your mouth every day. What is good oral hygiene? When your mouth is healthy, your teeth are clean and debris-free, and your gums are pink in color and do not hurt or bleed when you brush or floss. Additionally, you don't have bad breathe constantly.

How can you practice good dental hygiene? The most important thing is daily care, including proper brushing and flossing. You should brush your teeth twice a day for at least three minutes using toothpaste and floss. A tip to making sure you are brushing your teeth long enough is by using a timer. If your dentist tells you too, rinse your mouth with mouthwash. Regular visits to the dentist is also a must.

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3. Shower Regularly

Not only does showering regularly make sure that you are clean and fresh, it is important for various other reasons. For one, it can help prevent diseases and develop good hygiene. It also helps to get rid of dead skin cells, sweat, and dirt that is produced. While showering, use a gentle soap or bath gel to wash every part your body. Furthermore, make sure to use a shampoo and conditioner that suits your hair type. Scrub your body with a bathing brush or sponge to guarantee cleanliness.

How often should we shower? Most people should aim to shower every-other-day and avoid showering too frequently. As a matter of fact, most experts agree that in most scenarios, you only need to take a shower every- other-day. It is best to avoid taking a shower daily because your skin will be able to better continue it's balance and softness. Taking a shower every-other-day will also preserve helpful bacteria in your skin. According to Dr. Richard Gallo, a dermatology principal at the University of California, good bacteria in the skin cell helps these cells learn how to make their own antibiotics that can aid in shielding us from bad bacteria.

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4. Don't Forget Deodorant!

Make sure that you always wear deodorant. A common problem among most people is sweating and stench. Body odor is definitely troublesome. But thankfully, there are lots of deodorants that you can buy which can help you to smell better if you do sweat. Putting on deodorant is simple and doesn't take more than a few seconds. But, you should try to use deodorants that are natural.

Natural deodorants usually don't contain any aluminum. Instead of using aluminum to get rid of unwanted odor, they use plant-based ingredients and essential oils. Aluminum has often been related with certain cancers, bone disease and damaged motor function. Deodorants not containing aluminum also don't lead to blockages in the underarm pores. One awesome natural deodorant put to the test was "The Healthy Deodorant" by Lavanila Laboratories. According to Elle.com, this deodorant is all natural, smells floral and feminine, and is fresh and moisturizing. This deodorant is a solid stick and comes in scents such as vanilla and lavender vanilla.

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5. Take Care of Your Hair

Using the right steps, maintaining your hair is rather simple. How do you attain beautiful hair that is healthy? Are you using the right products? Should you brush your hair more or less? Overall, the main goal is to keep your hair healthy and radiant.

There are many different types of hair. Dry hair and oily hair. Long hair and short hair. Curly and straight hair. No matter what type of hair you have, try to accept your hair in it's natural form. Many of us feel constantly that the grass is greener on the other side, and spend hours upon hours dying, straightening, curling, and cutting our hair on a daily basis. But, this isn't always the healthiest thing. When you do want a color-change, go to a professional. Make sure that you get a recommendation for a good stylist and consult with him or her as well. When you do straighten or blow-dry your hair, make sure to use a heat-protector. This will prevent your hair from getting damaged and keep it feeling healthier.

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6. Regularly Clip Your Nails

You may not pay attention to your nails a lot but keeping them trimmed is a must. Keeping your nails trimmed can prevent you from biting or picking at them, which can lead to infections. To trim your nails, you need a nail clipper or a pair of nail scissors. If your nails have ragged edges, simply use a nail file to smooth them out. Having jagged edges can cause the nail to tear because they can catch on clothing. To correctly trim your fingernails, trim them straight across and somewhat rounded at the top. Make sure to not cut them too short. Because if you do so, the delicate nail bed can become unprotected.

Toenails don't need to be trimmed as often because they don't grow as fast as fingernails. Even though it can be difficult, they should be trimmed straight across. But when you do cut them, you will need stronger nail scissors or nail clippers. Try cutting your toenails after you have bathed or showered. Doing this will make sure that your nails are softer and easier to cut. Also make sure to periodically clean underneath the tips of your nails.

7. Wash Your Face

It is very important to wash your face. Skin cleansing removes the build up of dirt, oil, and other debris. Washing your face daily removes bacteria, contaminants, viruses, dirt, and dead skin cells. It also helps the skin retain a decent level of hydration. Not regularly washing your face will cause it to become dehydrated. This will unfortunately lead to your skin feeling rough and wrinkled.

How do you choose the right facial cleanser? First, you need to know your skin type. Try experimenting with various cleansers to find your perfect match. Avoid cleansers with high alcohol content if you have dry skin. Use a cleanser with a lower PH level if you suffer from oily skin. Finally, avoid cleansers with strong fragrances and preservatives if you have delicate skin.

8. Keep Your Germs to Yourself

To avoid spreading germs, remember to cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. When you cough or sneeze, anyone within three feet can easily be infected. But, try to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue if possible. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper arm. Make sure that you do not cough or sneeze into your hands, because this can further spread germs. Also try at all times to keep your hands fresh and clean.

If you are sick, it is best to stay home. Try to avoid close contact with others. You should never share eating utensils or other personal items with another person. And rather than go to the store yourself, ask friends or relatives to bring what you need to you. However, it is best to prevent getting sick in the first place. To prevent coming down with an illness, keep away from those who have are sic. Remember to take good care of yourself and take part in healthy habits.

9. Keep up With Your Doctor's Visits

To help catch illnesses and infections early, make sure to see your doctor regularly. Even though most people only visit a health professional when something goes wrong, this isn't a good idea. Visit your primary care doctor, dentist, gynecologist, and other medical professionals that you need depending on your personal needs, on a regular basis. Make sure to keep up with routine check-ups!

Try to see your family doctor once a year for an annual check-up, and to receive needed shots. You should visit him or her a few times a year if you are dealing with an illness or are expecting a child. These kinds of doctors can help with not-so-serious conditions such as coughs, runny noses, and back pains. For women, seeing a gynecologist once a year or every three years is ideal. Once a year, make sure to visit your local dermatologist. If you have general inquires about your skin, once a year is good enough. However, if you are concerned about skin spots or acne, make an appointment as soon as possible. Additionally, see a dentist for your teeth every six months, optometrist for your eyes once every two years, and proctologist every 10 years.

10. Always Wear Clean Clothes

Why do you need to wear clean clothes and underwear? Because dirty clothing spreads bacteria and will become four-smelling and uncomfortable. The only way to stop the spread of germs is to wash your clothes. You need to clean your clothing after each time they are worn. Be sure to never wear sweaty or wet clothes. Especially remember to remove tight or sweaty clothes after you workout to prevent bacteria from building up.

Any items containing vomit, bodily fluids from injury, sweat, polluted foods, or that have came into contact with animals, are considered high-risk dirty clothing by the National Health Service. After removing any soil from these items, wash them at 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Never wash these clothing items with unsoiled items. Doing this will prevent contaminating your other clothing. Dry your clothes immediately after washing them in order to clean them entirely. Clothing left wet for a long time can develop mold, which can cause odor and skin infections.

11. Shaving

While it isn't mandatory to shave, most people do it for a variety of reasons. It is one of the most convenient ways to get rid of unwanted hair. But, the most important thing to remember is that if you do decide to shave, you need to shave the correct way. But what exactly is the correct way to shave?

For one, choose a good quality razor. Try looking in your local pharmacy for ones with multi-blades. These types of razors make the shaving process more efficient. Before shaving, always clean the area that needs to be shaved. By doing this, you remove excess dead skin cells. Also remember to never shave when your skin isn't wet. Next, apply a thick layer of shaving cream. It is best to leave the cream on for at least 1 to 2 minutes. Finally, shave in the proper direction. It is always best to shave in the direction that the hair grows. Shaving in the opposite direction tends to cause inflammation and cuts.

12. Feminine Hygiene

When menstruating, change your sanitary pads and tampons frequently throughout the day. Avoid wearing a sanitary pad or tampon for more than eight hours. Refrain from cleaning your private area at this time, because your reproductive tract is built in a way to cleanse itself on its own. Always keep a few sanitary pads and tampons with you at all times in case your period starts when you aren't expecting it.

When not menstruating, it is ideal to clean your intimate area everyday. However, do not excessively use soaps or cleansers in this area. Doing this can slowly block its natural guarding barrier. If this happens, you will be more open to infections and irritation. Simply cleansing your external area with mild soap and water is a better option that using sprays or deodorants. Before using feminine products around your private area, such as deodorants, sprays, and powders, talk with your health care provider. These products may cause infections or disturb your natural hormone and chemical balance. In addition, try wearing cotton underwear. Underwear made of cotton can help you feel fresher because of the fact that cotton is more breathable than some other common underwear materials.

13. Male Hygiene

Products such as shaving cream, cologne, and hair re-growth products are targeted at male consumers. Men typically use these products to make their appearance better and maintain hygiene. Just as women should, men should aim to have a daily hygienic routine. Men and women have very similar hygienic practices, but there are a few extras that men should add to their everyday routine.

For men with beards, trim the hair so it's well-kept. Afterwards, use your favorite aftershave or any other skin creams. It is best to trim your beard before your shower because you can wash all of the hair off. Plus, the mirror won't be foggy! For men who like specific hairstyles, use wax or gel on your hair. Sometimes it is good to have a variety of products so that you can try out various hairdos. Don't forget to put on cologne! However, don't spray more than five times and mix up your scents every so often, so that you don't become immune to one scent.

14. Prevent Acne!

Getting acne can be very troublesome and extremely annoying. To avoid the whole acne ordeal, simply do your best to prevent it! Fortunately, there are many steps that you can take to prevent developing acne.

Remember to always keep your face clean. Wash your face daily to remove dead skin cells, and excess oil from your skin. Scrub your face gently with a very soft cloth. Afterward cleaning your face, dry your face with a clean towel. In addition, always moisturize. Look for moisturizers that do not tend to cause acne. Moisturizers that rarely cause acne are ones that have noncomedogenic on the label. For women, use makeup reasonably. Some makeup can definitely cause breakouts. However, if you do decide to wear makeup, do not forget to wash it off at nighttime. Also try avoiding makeup products with added dyes and chemicals. Don't forget to check the ingredient list of the product you are looking at before purchasing.

15. Trim Your Hair Every 4-8 Weeks

Many people go longer than eight weeks without getting a trim because they think by doing so, they are letting their hair grow longer. Well, this isn't the 100% truth. If you are trying to grow your hair out, getting a trim isn't going to disrupt that. Keeping up with hair trimming prevents your ends from becoming unnecessarily dry. Getting a consistent trim will also help to reshape your hair.

Getting your hair trimmed gets rid of split ends quickly. The only way to stop the splitting of your hair is to cut it off. Your hair will be healthier in the long run if you get your hair trimmed a half an inch about every six to eight weeks. Because the ends are not frequently breaking off, getting a trim gives the false appearance that your hair is growing quicker. It also keeps the cuticle undamaged to keep a smoother and healthier appearance. In addition, it gets rid of tangles, which happen because of split ends. If you don't want your hair tangled, frayed, dry, and frizzy, get your hair trimmed!